Newcomer / Intro Trade Data

[Rooster_x]

Hi all,

I've been playing for a few hours, just getting used to things. Having played on my C64 for many many many hours the game seems fairly close to the original, but docking is easier than on the C64. (I've read in some posts that some people are finding it hard - can't see why).

One thing I cant seem to work out is the use of "Purchase trade data" on the Galactic map. Can someone explain to me what it's used for and how useful it is?

Many thanks

 

[CFGX]

I'd love to know this as well. I'd also like to know what "market networks" means in my statistics, and how/why I get more of them.

 

[InfiniteGremlins]

Right now not super useful, might be more useful in a few days. It will get you data about the imports/exports of the system (volume of trade, not profit). The markets were over-saturated, though, so it wasn't an indication of where the best trades were. That bug was fixed and the markets should be gradually moving closer to equilibrium now...

My standing advice for now is to buy stuff below the galactic average, because it's easy to make a profit off that even if there's only so-so demand for it.

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I'd love to know this as well. I'd also like to know what "market networks" means in my statistics, and how/why I get more of them.

I think Market Networks tracks how many stations you've bought/sold commodities at.

 

[Hammre]

the data you purchased in the galaxy map will show up in the far right column of the commodities trade screen. that column will have a drop down box and you can choose the trade that up but its not that useful.

 

[FX2K]

The data purchased is used to display the trade lines on the galaxy map, you get the data free when you visit a station in that system.
You can filter the trade lines to show specific commodities being traded between systems, it can be a great help in locating goods..

The import/export information shown on the commodity screen (as mentioned above) is local data and is shown regardless, because you get it free

An issue still exists with the markets, this may be getting patched next week, so at the moment the info may or may not make sense.
Importers are being oversaturated with goods and in turn selling them off for less than the supplier, meaning it can be more profitable to buy from the consumer


Official Posts:

Where the AI's have been over-zealous creates an imbalance and because of the mechanism used means that some markets that should only import will get flooded and end up exporting. However if you look at the trade route data you'll see lots of trade in that direction, but the price sucks. Making the AI behave should put the markets back to where they're supposed to be.

Thanks to the players who provided us with the hard data - it helped us find this!

Michael

Hello Commanders!

Just a heads up.

In order to stop the AI from overtrading, we're having to reorganise the order in which market data is processed for the simulation. This is a non-trivial fix, plus, we want make sure we are actually nailing the issue, so the fix roll out is likely to be next week, assuming we've got to the root of the problem.

Hope this info helps.

When it works correctly, you should be able to use the trade lines and other information for guidance in what items might be profitable, although due to the market being dynamic, it can never guarantee a profit. The best way is to actually visit a station or three and see for yourself.
Its also important to note that the galaxy map data is for the system as a whole. Various stations inside a system have their own economy type, so you may need to visit different stations in order to buy what you need or sell what you have.

 

[DaveB]

To add to FX2K's post.. Remember that what you are buying is what has already happened. If you are seeing a commodity that looks good in the local market being heavily imported at a remote system, that *could* indicate a saturated market where you could easily make a loss if you just haul it on spec.